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Planning commission approves Life Change Center expansion to add childcare and medical office
Summary
The Sparks Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing the Life Change Center to expand a northern building and operate a childcare facility and medical office on a 1.4-acre site; neighbors raised traffic and parking concerns during public comment.
The Sparks Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit allowing the Life Change Center to expand and operate a childcare facility and medical office on a 1.4-acre site at 2105 Kapurra Way and 1755 Sullivan Lane.
Toby Wano, a planner with the city of Sparks, told the commission the request (PCN 25-0013 / CU25-0011) would add a 2,420-square-foot addition to an existing northern building and leave the 3,795-square-foot southern building intact. "This item is a request for a conditional use permit to construct and operate a childcare facility and medical office use in the MF-5 zoning district," Wano said, summarizing the staff report and recommended findings.
Staff said the site plan provides 44 parking spaces where Sparks Municipal Code requires 39; three of the spaces are van-accessible ADA stalls. Staff also recommended 14 conditions of approval, including a final landscaping plan, a reciprocal access and parking agreement recorded before a certificate of occupancy, a site lighting and photometric analysis to prevent light spillover at adjacent residential parcels, and limits on construction hours (7 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday–Friday; 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday; no Sunday work). Public notice was sent to 45 property owners and published in the Reno Gazette-Journal, staff said.
Neighbors who spoke during the public-comment portion urged caution on traffic and parking. "We see quite a few accidents [on Sullivan Lane] there probably weekly," said Samantha Gonzales, a nearby resident, and pressed the commission to ensure safe crossing for students from Risley Elementary and the middle school. Other speakers asked what kind of medical services would occupy the building and expressed concern about overflow parking onto Kapurra Way.
Gabe Whitler of Odyssey Engineering, representing the applicant and owner, said the Life Change Center intends to expand its rehabilitation-type services into the new space but that a portion of the addition will be leased to other medical or professional tenants. Whitler described the construction timeline as submitting for building permits by the end of the calendar year, breaking ground around March if approvals proceed, and taking about a year for the remodel and addition. "Most of that will take place within the site itself," Whitler said, adding the design includes an internal drop zone for daycare pick-up to avoid on-street drop-offs.
Commissioner Elkins recused herself from discussion and voting after disclosing past donations and fundraiser support for the Life Change Center; she said she consulted the city attorney and would abstain to avoid an appearance of impropriety. After discussion, Commissioner Kramer moved to approve the conditional use permit subject to the 14 conditions recommended by staff; Commissioner Nieberline seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
The permit approval allows the applicant to pursue required building permits and site improvements under the conditions set by staff; the project will proceed to private permitting and any required construction inspections.
